Fields and Methods

Maryam naz
Session content
1. Overview of research methods

2. Distinction between quantitative & qualitative research

3. Types & applicability of different research methods

4. Q&A
Overview of research methods

• SCIENCE:
The disciplined marshaling of empirical data, combined with theoretical
approaches and theories that illuminate or explain those data.
• EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION:
Factual inquiry carried out in any area of sociological study.
• DEFINING SOCIAL RESEARCH:
“A collection of methods and methodologies that researchers apply
systematically to produce scientifically based knowledge about the
social world” (Newman).
Research Methodology
• The methodology is an outline of the overall data collection and analysis strategy that will be used
to implement the research cycle

• The methodology should:

 Be compatible with the preliminary data analysis plan
 Be designed in a way that ensures the intended scope of the research (i.e. objectives and research
questions) can be feasibly achieved to the required quality, given the time, resources and access
available

• Designing a methodology involves three key components:

 Selecting the overall research method
 Selecting the appropriate data collection approach(es)
 Designing the sampling strategy
Categories of research methods

Categories of research methods

Quantitative
 Measure prevalence of
Qualitative
issues, verify
 Explore and discover
hypotheses and Mixed Methods
themes, develop theories,
establish causal  Combines both qualitative
rather than verify
relations between and quantitative to (1)
hypotheses and measure
variables collect and analyse both
occurrences
 Large samples, structured types of data and (2) use
 Smaller samples, semi-
data collection, and both approaches in tandem
structured data collection,
predominantly deductive
inductive analysis
analysis
Deductive (quantitative) vs. inductive
(qualitative) analysis approach
Selecting your research method
• What factors to consider when choosing one research method over another?
 Overall applicability to meet research objectives
 Time i.e. key planning and decision-making milestones to inform
 Resources available
 Material resources
 Financial resources
 Human resources
 Access to population of interest
 2. Quantitative vs. Qualitative research
1. Type of data
collection
Quantitative Qualitative
• Structured, close-ended • Semi-structured (but not
data collection tools. unstructured) data collection
2. Type of analysis
• Measuring prevalence, tools.
quantifying issues, and
primarily involves • Exploratory, and primarily
deductive analysis. involves inductive analysis
• Can use both probability • Non-probability sampling 
or non-probability
3. Type of sampling sampling  generalisation to the wider
strategy generalization to the population not possible
wider population possible
3. Types &
applicability
of different
research
methods
Category Type of research methods Description When to use this method

Quantitative Structured, probability sampling/ Structured, close-ended data collection; To measure prevalence and make generalizable claims,
census
Quantitative analysis; To conduct deductive analysis (relationship tests, verify
hypothesis)
Data collected from a census or through large
samples, with sample size calculated based on To identify key factors that influence a particular outcome or
probability theory understand the best predictors of a specific outcome

Quantitative Structured, non-probability sampling Structured, close-ended data collection; To measure prevalence (indicative only) but contextual and/ or
logistical constraints do not allow for large, repressentative
Quantitative analysis;
samples
Can be small or large sizes; non-probability sampling
To draw indicative inferences from a sample to a population
Category Type of research methods Description When to use this method

Qualitative Semi-structured, non-probability Semi-structured data collection; No measurement of prevalence or verification of hypothesis
sampling needed;
Qualitative analysis;
No or limited prior understanding of the situation to be studied
Relatively small sample sizes; non-probability
and the specific variables to be assessed;
sampling
To conduct inductive analysis i.e. explore and develop a
theory or pattern of meaning, based on experiences,
observations and perspectives of the situation being studied

Mixed Methods N/A Combines both qualitative and quantitative Quantitative or qualitative methods by themselves inadequate
methods, both in terms of collecting and analyzing to understand the research problem;
both types of data but also using both in tandem to
To use all methods possible to obtain an in-depth,
enhance the overall strength of the study
comprehensive understanding of the research problem.
The most powerful research method?

 Mixed methods research – if time, access, resources allow!

Mixed methods research – if time, access, resources allow!
 Common misnomer that quantitative research is the strongest – not always!
 Not all issues need to explained in a quantifiable way
 Some issues are over-simplified if only explored in numeric terms
 In-depth explanation and contextualisation is useful

 Ultimately depends on the research objectives